Unit 1 - Classic Research: Bowlby (1944) ‘Forty-four juvenile thieves: their characters and home-life’ (evaluation of ethical issues and social implications)

What is one ethical issue that participants were not afforded?

Confidentiality.

How was participants’ right to confidentiality violated?

Bowlby used their first names and the initial of their last names whilst providing a lot of details about their lives in the case studies.

Why does naming the participants cause issues to arise?

It is not clear whether participants were aware that their data would be published or that they would be so easily identifiable.

Therefore, why is participants not being afforded confidentiality a weakness?

Some participants may not have wanted their data published.

What ethical requirement may not have been obtained by Bowlby?

Valid informed consent.

How may Bowlby have not gained consent from his participants?

They were arguably vulnerable individuals due to their emotional disturbances, but they were also still children, aged between 5 and 17.

Nevertheless, why may a lack of valid informed consent be required for this research?

It appears that this data collection was a routine element of patient treatment, and that it was published retrospectively roughly 10 years after the children received their treatment, meaning that it would have been difficult to obtain consent.

Therefore, was a lack of valid informed consent a significant ethical violation?

This could be seen as a weakness, however, this means that their privacy was not violated in a severe way.

Why is it a strong social implication that we are now aware of the importance of present parents?

It has created scope for changes in policies globally to accommodate this.

What are parents permitted following the birth of their child?

They are entitled to time off work. More recently in 2015, parents became entitled to share this parental leave and can share the 52 weeks.

Why is shared parental leave beneficial?

Children will have more support in place, intended to prevent them from becoming emotionally disturbed, benefitting not only the individual but society.

Therefore, why is this research socially strong in terms of parental leave?

It has stressed the importance of present parents.

Why is the importance of strong relationships between parent and child being highlighted through this research a strength?

This encourages support for working parents especially.

What evidence can be used to support recognition of the importance of parent and child relationships?

In 2019, the Family and Childcare Trust reported that for children under 2, it costs £252 per week (UK average) for a place in full time nursery. To encourage families to return to work, the government introduced a scheme that allows parents to claim tax relief on childcare costs.

How does this childcare support benefit society?

This makes being a present parent and/or having adequate care in place for children more accessible and protects children from suffering maternal deprivation as they will form connections with mother substitutes when their mother is not present.

Therefore, how is this research strong in terms of childcare?

This shows the significance of Bowlby’s research as it has created scope for advancements in childcare industries and supports working parents simultaneously.